Norris struggles for optimism despite McLaren high
Norris struggles for optimism despite McLaren high
Lando Norris has revealed McLaren scored its breakthrough double-points finish in Australia even though the car is unaltered since a wretched season-opening race in Bahrain.
McLaren was woefully off the pace across the initial weekend in which it ran interim brake ducts after suffering overheating issues during pre-season testing, with the team faring only marginally better in Saudi Arabia where Norris finished seventh.
At Melbourne's Albert Park, however, there was a marked improvement in the pace of the MCL36, with the Briton finishing fifth just ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
Asked if things were moving in the right direction for the team, Norris told Sky Sports F1: "In a way. It's more we've just changed the track and the car has gone quicker.
"I want to be optimistic and be so happy but the car is exactly the same as Bahrain."
McLaren "small steps" yield big result
Despite his belief that McLaren's pace was primarily track specific, Norris is confident the team has made a step forward.
"I have probably said it in every single interview but I think we have made some small steps as a team," added Norris.
"Everyone is working very hard to make these steps forward but at the same time, it is not too many things different. It is just that the car worked very well here.
"There are a lot of positives that we can take away, we just have to work on the negatives."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
FIA announce Mercedes singled out for F1 inspection ahead of Miami Grand Prix
- 27 minutes ago
Vettel to make F1 RETURN in tribute to legend
- 1 hour ago
Newey delivers new challenge announcement after Red Bull exit CONFIRMED
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton blasted by former F1 giant as multi-world champion poised for FIA showdown
- Today 05:57
Newey Red Bull exit details confirmed as Ferrari make dramatic unveiling - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Award-winning director reveals STUNNING tribute to F1 legend Senna
- Yesterday 22:57
Related news
'Disaster waiting to happen': F1 star demands FIA safety OVERHAUL after terrifying crash
F1 pundit claims Mercedes HARSHLY treated by rivals
Kravitz attacked with CAKE in Ferrari celebrations
Perez makes HUGE Verstappen claim to give rivals title hope
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860